The New Urban Ruins: Vacancy, Urban Politics and International Experiments in the Post-Crisis City

This book provides an innovative perspective on contemporary urban challenges by focusing on urban vacancy and its re-use in post-crisis cities. It offers empirical insights from international case studies and explores the complexity of forces and processes shaping urban vacancy, highlighting its role as both lived spaces and sites of political antagonism. It provides sustainable blueprints for future development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

This book offers a groundbreaking approach to understanding contemporary urban challenges by examining urban vacancy through the lens of urbanization. By focusing on vacancy as a central aspect of urbanization, the contributors gather fresh empirical insights into the effects of recent debates surrounding the reuse of vacant spaces in post-crisis cities across the world. Through the use of international case studies from both the Global North and Global South, the book sheds valuable new light on the intricate dynamics and processes that shape urban vacancy and its repurposing, exploring these spaces as both lived environments and sites of political contention. It delves into the successes and failures of past attempts to redevelop vacant sites and presents sustainable blueprints for future development.

The book begins by providing a comprehensive overview of the global landscape of urban vacancy, highlighting the diverse contexts and challenges faced by cities worldwide. It explores the historical roots of urban vacancy, including factors such as urbanization, economic decline, and political upheaval, as well as the social and economic consequences of vacancy. The authors then delve into the various strategies and approaches used to address urban vacancy, including redevelopment, revitalization, and conservation.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of government agencies and private stakeholders in the re-use of vacant spaces. The authors argue that successful re-purposing of vacant sites requires a collaborative effort between these entities, as well as community engagement and participation. They provide examples of successful public-private partnerships and community-driven initiatives that have led to the transformation of vacant spaces into thriving community assets.

The book also explores the political dimensions of urban vacancy, particularly in relation to issues of equity, social justice, and sustainability. The authors argue that vacant spaces can become sites of political contention and resistance, particularly in marginalized communities that have been historically excluded from the benefits of urban development. They provide examples of how political actors and community organizations have used vacant spaces to advocate for their rights and promote sustainable development.

In addition to its analysis of urban vacancy, the book offers practical insights and recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and community organizations. It provides sustainable blueprints for future development, including strategies for promoting mixed-income housing, creating green spaces, and promoting community-driven economic development. The authors also emphasize the importance of community engagement and participation in the re-use of vacant spaces, recognizing that successful development should be tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of local communities.

Overall, this book provides a comprehensive and innovative perspective on urban vacancy, offering valuable insights into the complex forces and processes shaping urbanization. It is a must-read for policymakers, urban planners, community organizations, and anyone interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities of urban development in the 21st century.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 234 x 157 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447356882